White Vision

White Vision – PDSA Dickin Medal 3

Date of award: 2 December 1943

"25 mph headwinds, rain, low cloud and near-zero visibility for nine hours…"

White Vision's story

When bad weather and a shortage of fuel forced the 11-strong crew of a Catalina flying boat to ditch in the sea near the Hebrides in October 1942, the situation looked hopeless. Lacking radio contact and aware that the weather conditions would make any rescue attempt extremely difficult, the crew’s only hope of raising the alarm lay with the aircraft’s two carrier pigeons.

The crew released the pigeons with the message, ‘Aircraft ditched safely N.W… Heavy swell, taxing S.E. No casualties,’ contained in canisters strapped to their legs. One of the birds never made it back. But Pigeon No. 3089 SURP 41 L, known as White Vision - who had been loaned to the National Pigeon Service and was based at Sullom Voe in the Shetland Islands – succeeded.

After battling 25 mph headwinds, rain, low cloud and near-zero visibility for nine hours, she reached her loft and delivered her message raising the alarm.

The life-saving message was quickly relayed to headquarters and 40 hours later a fast launch located the crew and made contact – just in the nick of time. As the last crew members were lifted off the stricken aircraft, it disappeared under the waves.

White Vision helped save the lives of 11 crew members. She was awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal on 2 December 1943 for: “Delivering a message under exceptionally difficult conditions and so contributing to the rescue of an Air Crew while serving with the Royal Air Force in October 1943.”

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